Where We’ve Been This Fall: College & Career Fair Season at Wakefield Pork

This fall, WPI hit the road for another busy college and career fair season. Connecting with high school and college students who are exploring the next steps in their careers. From Minnesota to Iowa to Wisconsin, each event gave us the chance to share who we are, answer questions, and meet students who are excited about opportunities in the ag industry and with Wakefield Pork.

Throughout the 2025 fall season, we visited a wide range of campuses and events, including:

•       Mankato Maverick Part-Time Job Fair

•       UMN Ag, Food, and Business Career Fair

•       Southwest Minnesota Career Expo for High School Students

•       SDSU CAFES Career Fair

•       MSU Career & Internship Expo

•       UW–River Falls Career Fair

•       Iowa State Career Fair

•       South Central College JobsHQ Career Fair in Mankato

•       Partnering in Agriculture Day at South Central College in Mankato

•       Ridgewater College Agriculture Career Fair

Some of these events have been a staple for Wakefield for years, while others have been fun to attend again after a few years. Each event welcomed a different mix of students, questions, and opportunities, and each one reminded us why these visits matter.

One of the most rewarding parts of the season was meeting students who already knew about Wakefield Pork and sought us out at the fair just to talk. We also enjoyed reconnecting with students who work part-time with us or have family ties to WPI. Those conversations are meaningful because they give us a chance to hear about students’ goals, interests, and experiences beyond their work with us.

We talk to exceptional students at every single event. The future professionals in agriculture are curious, motivated, and eager to understand what their career in agriculture could look like.

Meeting us in person gives students something a job description or website never could: a real look into our culture and the people they may one day work next to. These conversations help students:

•       Understand our values and work styles.

•       Ask direct questions about roles, internships, and career paths.

•       Tell us what makes them stand out.

•       Share what they’re hoping for in their next professional step.

We want students to see our team in person, hear our story, and feel welcome to explore opportunities with us.

For Wakefield Pork, attending college and career fairs is about more than recruiting, but also about forming meaningful connections with every interaction. We attend because we want to:

•       Meet the next generation of ag professionals.

•       Stay connected with students entering the workforce.

•       Make a positive impression on future talent.

In an increasingly digital world, we believe face-to-face conversations still matter. They help us understand what today’s students care about and allow us to share the real, human side of our company.

A key part of our fall recruiting season is introducing students to our internship program. Each year, we welcome interns who are eager to learn, grow, and gain hands-on experience in the pig industry. Our internships offer a meaningful, 360-degree view of pig production. WPI offers interns opportunities in communications, production, human resources, and more. We aim to provide an experience that builds confidence, skill, and long-lasting professional connections. If you or someone you know is interested in our internships, please keep us in mind when the 2026 fall season rolls around. Our applications open in early September, and more information can be found on the “careers” page of our website.

As we reflect on a successful fall season, we’re excited for the conversations still ahead. Students can look for us on college campuses, at expos, and at career fairs throughout each fall. We’re always happy to answer questions, share our story, and help students discover where their interests might lead them at WPI and beyond. We look forward to meeting you!